Weathering the new canvas.

Submitted: Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 19:41
ThreadID: 66898 Views:2923 Replies:6 FollowUps:5
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Now I've got my new C/T, apart from a few short-lived storms, I've been hosing the canvas about twice a day for two days. We took off the annex/awning so all the tent walls can be weathered. The dry weather has dried out the canvas rather rapidly. I've noticed a fair bit of water inside the C/T on each occasion and have mopped it up. I can't see where the water has come in; I'm supposing it's through the zipper in the door, as I've been hosing with gusto! Is it ready to put the awning/annex back on and pack the tent up, or is further weathering needed?
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Reply By: guzzi - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 20:10

Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 20:10
Probably not.
Go camping, it nearly guaranteed to rain (Im available for a small fee for drought stricken areas).
A few real rain drenchings will stop most of the leaks.
Look along seams where fly screens etc and the floor are attached with horizontal stitching water can get caught in there depending on how the tent is assembled, it shouldnt leak in the middle of a panel.
If its persistent try rubbig a candle along the seam on the outside and use a lot of friction to rub it in.
Small puddles are a fact of life in heavy rain, its where they come from that can be difficult to spot.


Which CT did you buy?
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Follow Up By: Bluemetaldaisy - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 18:40

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 18:40
I bought the 12 ft Lawson Off Road Camper from Explorer Campers and Canvas.
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Reply By: Hairs & Fysh (NSW) - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 20:20

Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 20:20
Hi,
Some designs do let a little water in at the zippers. I've seen some that the water runs down the zipper and flows straight inside :(
I found that when I weathered mine I did it lightly and it was enough over two days..
Last time we used ours we had a storm while we were away from camp and it copped a fair bit of water on the roof of the annex and made it sag. On arriving back home I set ti up again gave it a light wet and it came back into shape.
I reckon it should be right now.
Hope this helps.



AnswerID: 354398

Reply By: Best Off Road - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 20:50

Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 20:50
Hosing really won't do much.

It needs sustained rain to soak it, followed by drying to shrink the seams. Then the swelling/shrinking process is complete. It will then be waterproof. At least five soakings and dryings is necessary.

Don't use wax, glue or some other wonder product. Canvas is a Cotton product, just like a pair of jeans, and will take time to "bed in".

Cheers,

Jim.



AnswerID: 354410

Follow Up By: Shaker - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 09:16

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 09:16
So when are we going to get 5 periods of sustained rain?
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Follow Up By: Best Off Road - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:18

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:18
Dunno, call Lennox Walker.

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Reply By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 21:02

Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 21:02
Bluemetaldaisy

one of the best things to weather in canvas is the due you get of a night. winter mornings are often the best,cheers.
AnswerID: 354417

Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 21:03

Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 21:03
sorry.........should be dew not due. :-(
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Reply By: troopyman - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 21:29

Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 21:29
Hosing does nothing . The canvas needs a good soaking in rain and then dried out in full sun .
AnswerID: 354428

Follow Up By: Member - Mark G Gulmarrad - Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 21:34

Monday, Mar 16, 2009 at 21:34
troopyman

hey mate.......i hosed mine down when i picked it up. it worked a treat cause when we used it for the 1st time it rained,of course,but it had 1 very small trickle down 1 wall.it didnt even reach the bottom of the wall,cheers.
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Reply By: Pebble - Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:14

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2009 at 19:14
Lol, yes with our first CT we gave it quite a few quick hoses and then dried, of course our first trip was up to Cairns where it absolutely poured, luckily not over the main bed where the two littlies and us all ended up sleeping!
With the 2nd camper we knew it needed a more thorough wetting, I think we did like you at least two really good soaks during the day, and it was summer so it could dry out really well in between, luckily we had some rain as well. I don't remember any significant leaks on our first (and major) trip with it, although there was some water pooling on the roof which generally leads to droplets inside!

On the topic of water getting in, I had heaps going in and couldn't figure it out, in the end I realized having the outside window flaps open and the inside ones still closed, water was collecting in a pocket between outside and inside and leaking in through the window zips / velcro, so if your windows and doors have any such canvas lips (that attach to the mozzie screen) that would be my guess.

I think what you've been doing is pretty much all you can do and then hope for the best on your trip!!
AnswerID: 354562

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